10 Signs of a Toxic Relationship
In any relationship, things aren’t always going to be rosy. A few bumps in the road are par for the course because human beings are going to do what humans do. Even in the healthiest of relationships, some struggles and disagreements are to be expected. But these struggles don’t govern, or determine the course of healthy relationships; instead, the people in those relationships can navigate challenges in ways that preserve their dignity and allow the relationship to emerge stronger and with a deeper commitment. Just as there are healthy relationships, there are also relationships that can be labeled “toxic.” What precisely does “toxic” mean? It may be surprising, but toxic relationships aren’t always obviously toxic to the people in them. You may be in a toxic relationship and not know it. Or you might be the toxic partner in your relationship and you’re oblivious to it and how your behaviors are affecting your partner. That makes it even more important to know the signs of a toxic relationship and take steps to address things. A toxic relationship is characterized by behaviors that are emotionally and often physically damaging. One can expect that a healthy relationship will contribute to your sense of well-being, high self-esteem, and emotional energy, while a toxic relationship is damaging to one’s self-esteem and drains your energy. In a toxic relationship, one or both partners aren’t flourishing or thriving. Because relationships come in all shapes and sizes (some are romantic, others are platonic or familial) the following signs of a toxic relationship will differ and present in various ways. If you detect any of the following signs, take them as a cue that you should put some serious work into that relationship. Signs of a Toxic Relationship ‘Here we go again’ It’s the hallmark of healthy relationships [...]
